Busan Shopping

What to Buy and Where to Shop in Busan

When it comes to shopping in Busan, you will never fall short of options. You will get a chance to shop at the open-air markets along with high profile stores. Koreans are generally smaller than their western counterparts so if you need larger sizes, then Choryang Arcade is a good place. This place is popularly known as the Texas Street but locals call it ‘Foreigners Street’ amongst themselves.

There is no specific area for shopping in Busan. You can find interesting items, shops, stores spread all over the city and can hit upon some cool stuff in Seomyeon, Gwanglalli Beach, the PNU area, Namp-dong and the Gwangbok-dong (where you can find the most stylish clothes). You can also shop at the E-mart in Haeundae. If you are fond of shopping at city malls, Busan offers the Migliore and Judies Taehwa in Seomyeon. You will also find numerous upscale stores and shops in Heeundae.

Busanjin Market

This is another popular market in Busan where you can shop for anything you like.

Take the Busan Line One subway accessed from the Goseong Bus Terminal as well. This market is famous for all the household items you will ever need. Newlywed women hunt around this place to shop for the goods they need to set up a new life. If you are fond of silk or other raw fabrics then this place is heaven for you. This market is near to the Busan Lotte Hotel.

Location: Busanjin

Gukje Market

This is the largest market in Busan with vendors offering a startling amount of goods. You can buy clothes, food items, handicrafts and even industrial goods here. Getting to this market is very simple; you just have to take Subway # One to Jagalchi and get out at exit number 7. You should definitely hunt for the finest leather items here. This open-air market is the most popular shopping venue with international visitors.

Opening Hours: Daily 09:00 - 20:00 Location: West of Nampo-dong

Jagalchi Market

This market features the deadly combination of good food along with great shopping opportunities so if you are a shopping freak as well as a food lover, then you can’t afford to miss the Jagalchi Seafood Market as it’s one of the major attractions in Busan. Busan is famous for raw fish and its sea food. People who visit this place make sure that they do not forget to carry home some good Busan raw fish. And you can get this wonderful shopping experience only in the Jagalchi Market. If you are visiting Busan in October, then you are sure to have a blast as October brings the great festivities of the Jagalchi Festival. The practice of eating raw fish at Jagalchi is unique and can’t be experienced anywhere else and as this is the largest fish market in Korea Jagalchi is surely the place to do it. This market looks completely different at night and the hustle and bustle of the raw fish market with sparkling lights strikes the visitor as an amazing seafood extravaganza. Getting there is quite simple: Subway line number 1 to Nampo-dong station heads you towards the Jagalchi market. This market is about a five-minute walk from the station. If you are taking the bus, then you can get down at the entrance itself. Your Busan shopping experience can’t get more fun than this!

Opening Hours: 07:00 – 21:00 Location: Nampo-dong, take the Bus number 139 to reach the market

Lotte

This is another great store for duty-free upscale shopping and is one of the major chain stores in South Korea. The best part about shopping at Lotte is that the experience is bordering on overwhelming with exceptional service and top-range brands and goods.

Location: Busan Lotte Hotel 50-12, Bujeon-dong, Busanjin-gu

Paradise Duty Free

For upscale shopping, try the Paradise shop located adjacent to the Paradise Hotel. The biggest advantage of shopping here is that it is a duty-free shop and you can save a lot of money. This is a proper Department shop with four fully stocked floors of pure temptation. The Paradise Duty free incorporates several stores that stock clothes, perfumes, leather bags, jewellery and accessories and is filled with flashy goods that will tempt you to splurge out.

Opening Hours: Daily 09:30 – 19:00

PIFF Square

This location has the highest number of movie theatres in town and is one of the most-visited places in Busan with chic shops selling clothes and accessories. The market is vibrant at night and has upscale premium stores for shopping. You may have to pay a little extra to buy stuff at the trendier stores. You will see much of Busan’s young crowd here.

Opening Hours: At Night Location: Nampo-dong, take Subway line 1 to this station